Book Talk: I've Been Reading...

It seems like ages since I've done one of these which is pretty sad considering I'm still trying to catch up with posts from all the book reading from last year let a lone this year's reading. All I can say is gardening and knitting and sprained ankles do not make for much room for any writing.  Still I'm here now, typing away and posting as fast as I can to try and make up for the serious lack of posts.

 

Crime, non fic, children's and chick lit feature this time around.

 

Though my crime reading was way, way down, the odd one managed to slip through; though they were less murdery and more thrillery if that makes any sense.  Leona Deakin's Gone was seriously good.  Even better I've now got her other 2 books on hold. 

 

There was also some really good non fiction that came out last year and I enjoyed all three of these very different books.  The Five was an interesting look at the lives of the women killed by Jack the Ripper while The Lost Family gave a fascinating look into the world of DNA testing and how it's helping solve crimes and family mysteries etc.  As someone who wants to take a DNA test one day this book was totally me.  

 

Chick lit by some of my favourite Chick Lit authors was next.  And as I've said many times what's not to love about a feel-good, light and fluffy Chick Lit novel.

 

Rounding out this lots reading were three super oh-so good children's books.  I've become a serious fan of Ashley Herring Blake's books which deal with identity and being true to yourself in such a lovely way that they always make me teary eyed but also give me hope.  And isn't that exactly what you sometimes want from a book. 

Upon A Solstice Day

Hello, it's me.  Yes I'm still alive.  Yes it's still winter.  And yes my brain is still weird and sometimes just won't let me write.

 

Other than that life is good.  Because what's not to like about winter.  Hot drinks, warm socks and all the snuggling.  If only it didn't rain I would be one very happy camper.  Even so the weather hasn't been all that bad what with lots of cold crispy frosty days and warm sun.  My kind of weather.

 

As for the Solstice...

8.30am

 

What I am doing out of bed at this time of morning is a mystery.  Especially as it's my birthday.  But up I am.  At least the weather outside isn't looking too bad.

Nudge seems to like it.  

 

This has become one of his favourite spots lately.  Mostly because he can see all the other cats wandering past as our place seems to be 'cat walkway' for some weird reason. Looks like birthday cuddles with the boy is not going to happen at the moment.

9.30am

 

Dressed and out of bed.  Psychedelic socks for a wintry pick-me-up.  Pink AND daisies.  Two of my favourite things.  As for the rest of the wardrobe it's sweatpants, long sleeve t-shirt and jumper.  Because yes it is that chilly. 

 

A few minutes later... 

... a cup of blood orange tea to start the day.  All in a pretty daisy cup.

10.30am

 

Walk time.  

 

Off into town and a nosy around the Op Shops while I'm there.  Although looking at the floor in our utility room I really need to give it a good scrub.  Maybe another day.  Like when it's not my birthday.  My shoes are also looking a bit sad.  Guess it shows how much walking I've been doing.

1.30pm

 

Finally back with my charity shopping haul.  A new bag for me as my only other bag is badly fraying on the handle.  Even better it only cost $4.  I also treated myself to a $2 jigsaw puzzle which I hope I can get stuck into it and cross another thing off my 101 Things in 1001 Days list.

 

All courtesy of Other Half who gave me some loose change he had found in the car and told me to 'treat myself'.   Frugal living for the win.

2.00pm

 

Courier parcels arrived and look it's presents from my mum and exactly what I wanted and needed. 

Several minutes later...

Trying out the new hot chocolate mix and it smells like marshmallows.  Having a mug of it with soy milk and some of my favourite biscuits which Other Half gave me as a surprise present.  The sweetie.

And shortly after that...

On the sofa about to watch one of my favourite rom com's.  Perfect birthday viewing on a misty day.

5.00pm

Is this wool awesome or not.  So pretty.  Now that I've had a short break from knitting for the past couple of weeks I'm ready to get back to it.  This is going to be a sweater vest.  Something to keep me warm down here in the boondocks of the South.

6.00pm

Mince on toast.  I love mince on toast and haven't had it in ages.  Being totally spoiled by Other Half who made this.

9.00pm

Oops forgot to take photo of dessert or anything else for the last few hours.  Good food always distracts me but I'm pretty sure you don't want to see a photo of an empty bowl.  The chocolate steamed pudding was good though.  Beside that we just finished watching the last couple of episodes of The Drowning which was really good.

10.00pm

Here's a candle.  Well an artificial one anyway.  I got a packet of these given to me at Christmas and finally remembered that I had them so it seemed appropriate to switch them on for the first time today.

Happy Solstice Everyone :)